Emma Raducanu’s bold decision to skip Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in favor of the Korea Open has backfired spectacularly, as the 22-year-old British No. 1 suffered a remarkable collapse in her second-round match against Barbora Krejcikova on September 18, 2025. Raducanu, ranked world No. 33, led by a set and 5-2 in the second before squandering three match points, ultimately falling 4-6, 7-6(12-10), 6-1 in a near three-hour epic at Olympic Park Tennis Center. The loss, her worst result at the tournament since 2023, not only ends her Korea Open campaign but also costs her valuable ranking points, dropping her chances of cracking the top 30 and securing a seeded spot at the 2026 Australian Open. The defeat has amplified criticism of her “selfish” withdrawal from Team GB, with fans and media questioning if the gamble was worth the gamble.
The Match: From Dominance to Disaster
Raducanu, seeded eighth, started strongly, breaking Krejcikova early to take a 3-1 lead in the first set and closing it out 6-4 after saving three break points. The Czech, a 2024 Wimbledon champion ranked No. 39, mounted a comeback in the second, breaking back to level at 4-4 before Raducanu surged to 5-2 on serve. Serving for the match at 5-3, Raducanu held a match point with her third ace of the game, but Krejcikova fired a forehand winner to break back. The tiebreak was a thriller: Raducanu raced to 5-2 and held two more match points on Krejcikova’s serve, but double faults and unforced errors allowed the Czech to reel off five straight points for a 12-10 win.
The third set was one-way traffic, with Krejcikova breaking twice for a 6-1 rout. Raducanu committed 45 unforced errors to Krejcikova’s 28, her 42% first-serve rate crumbling under pressure. “I had my chances, but couldn’t close it out,” Raducanu said post-match. “Barbora played a great tiebreak—credit to her.” The loss means Raducanu fails to defend her 2024 quarterfinal points (108), potentially dropping her three spots in the rankings.
The Controversial Decision: BJK Cup Snub Bites Back
Raducanu’s withdrawal from the Billie Jean King Cup, announced on September 5, was meant to prioritize ranking points and time with new coach Francisco Roig. “I need to focus on my game,” she said, citing the calendar’s demands. However, while Team GB advanced to the semifinals with a 3-0 win over Japan on September 18—led by Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal—Raducanu’s early exit in Seoul has fueled regret. “She chose the wrong path,” tweeted a fan (@TennisFanatic22). “GB’s thriving without her, and Emma’s out in round two.”
Captain Anne Keothavong had expressed disappointment: “Of course we are disappointed.” Replacement Harriet Dart called it a “huge blow,” but Britain’s success—Boulter defeating Moyuka Uchijima 6-1, 6-3—highlights the irony. Raducanu’s former coach Mark Petchey defended her pre-tournament: “The schedule makes zero sense—prioritizing health is smart” (*Tennis365*). But the collapse has intensified scrutiny, with *GB News* labeling it “karma” and *The Daily Mail* noting “considerable anger” in the LTA over late notice.
Raducanu’s 2025 (26-18 record) includes a Washington semifinal and three major third rounds, but inconsistencies persist. Skipping BJK Cup (her second in 2025) aimed for top-30 status, but this loss stalls that momentum.
Reactions: Backlash and Reflection
Fans on X were unforgiving: “Emma’s Korea gamble flops—three match points blown? Snubbed GB for this?” (@TheTennisLetter). Others sympathized: “Tough loss, but cut her slack—the pressure’s immense” (@RaducanuNews). Experts like Marion Bartoli (*Eurosport*) noted, “The BJK snub added mental weight—Emma’s human.” Petchey urged focus: “Top 30, consistency, serve—ignore the noise.”
What’s Next for Raducanu?
Raducanu heads to the China Open (September 24-30), where she has no points to defend, offering a reset. A deep run could reclaim lost ground, but the collapse—her first second-round exit in Seoul since 2023—raises questions about closing big matches. With Roig’s guidance, Raducanu eyes a strong 2026, but the “price” of her decision is clear: missed team glory and a ranking setback. As Team GB marches on, Raducanu’s path is hers alone—for better or worse.
